Ok, so I’m a sucker for an epic family saga. The Joy Luck Club follows four sets of mothers and daughters from 1949 to the present, from China to the United States. It’s a story of immigration and assimilation, of holding on to one’s culture while navigating generational misunderstandings and changing family dynamics. It’s about secrets, self-discovery, and learning to understand yourself through the eyes of someone you love. Most of all, it’s about the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters. To be quite honest, I love many of Tan’s books. She is an incredible storyteller. But if I had to pick just one, this would be it.

Prepare yourself — you’re going to need a box of tissues for this one. I, for one, love that kind of book. The story follows two women living under the unforgiving rule of the Taliban, each enduring unimaginable hardship and loss. As devastating as their circumstances are, what rises from the rubble are two characters who embody incredible strength and resilience. Through tragedy, the novel reminds us that heroes can emerge in the darkest moments, and that love can endure even against impossible odds.

Another multigenerational tale of mothers and daughters—you may be sensing a theme in my reading life. You Bring the Distant Near follows five generations of Indian women from the 1960s to the present. Like The Joy Luck Club, Perkins explores theme of culture and identity, immigration and assimilation, and the tensions that arise between generations. What’s different about this book though, is that it’s written for a YA audience, and really takes you into the mind of teenager growing up at the intersection of two cultures. It is a coming of age story woven with humor and heart, that feels both intimate and universal.

Mia Tang lives with her parents in a motel. Each day her parents clean the rooms and Mia manages the front desk. They also hide immigrants in the empty rooms and struggle with a constant fear of the motel owner discovering this secret. This middle grade novel is one of my absolute favorite books because of the cast of characters. Not only is Mia wise and witty, but she’s also an aspiring writer so you get to hear her innermost thoughts through her writing. On top of that, the motel doors are constantly revolving with memorable guests, each bringing their own quirks, stories, and moments of inspiration.

A Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai that includes a contagious madness and a monster in the shadows — need I say more?! The pacing is sheer perfection. You will not want to put it down. And the lush descriptions of the city and its scenery completely envelop you. I’m usually not a fantasy reader but this one completely won me over!

Ok, hear me out. This may be a middle grade novel but it will absolutely scare the pants off you. Seventh grader Harper moves into a new house with her parents, older sister, and younger brother, only to quickly realize something is wrong. The house is haunted, but not by your average ghost. This one is terrifying and nefarious, and soon begins to posses her four-year-old brother. As the haunting escalates, Harper must draw on her Korean heritage to exorcise the spirit before it’s too late.

This was my first magical realism novel, and it’s now one of my favorite genres! Leigh has just lost her mother to suicide and becomes convinced her mother has returned as a bird. In the wake of her loss, she travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandmother and track down her mother in this new form. Over the course of her journey, you experience each phase of grief with Leigh, sometimes grounded in reality and sometimes drifting into magic. If you like emotionally charged coming-of-age novels in the vein of John Green, you’ll likely find The Astonishing Color of After especially moving.

Listen to this one on audio. Trust me. It’s narrated by Ali Wong and it’s the only way to experience this hilariously unfiltered book. Written as a series of letters to her daughters, The book is chock-full of candid life advice, chaotic parenting moments, and Wong’s signature humor. She reflects on everything from sex, marriage, and gender to motherhood and reconnecting with her Vietnamese heritage, all with her trademark sharp, irreverent voice.characteristically relatable humor Wong is known for.